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46 points

Guide: How to solve Yosemite memory leaks and CPU usage

I post this hoping to help those users who, like me, are experiencing high CPU usage and massive memory leaking with OS X core services and apps, leading to slow performance and battery drain.

I've tried everything mentioned, but found the right combination of steps to follow. I've tried this with seven different Apple computers, including mine, and has worked well so far. I applied this method yesterday to give these process a 24 hour window to fail again, so far everything good.

First step: disconnect any external or secondary monitors, if any is present. The video memory allocation leak can also happen if you have a system with an integrated card, like Intel, with no external monitors attached.

Second step: Shut down your machine and enter Safe Mode (press shift once you turn on your computer again, more info below). Once you're there, fix your disk permissions.

Guide of how to access Safe Mode: OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

Third step: From Safe Mode turn off your machine again and reset your System Management Controller (SMC). There are different methods, depending on machine, to do this. To know what method applies to yours read the following guide.

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Fourth step: Once your machine completes a full boot after resetting the SMC turn it off again and reset your PRAM (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP, BUT THE PREVIOUS ONES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THIS ONE TO WORK). The PRAM stores small bits of data that indicate our Apple computer how to interact with the devices connected to it, including monitors and video cards. It also affects software.

To reset it you should hold the OPTION, COMMAND, P and R keys in your keyboard immediately after turning on your machine again.You'll hear the start up chime, continue pressing the keys until the machine boots and the chime starts A SECOND TIME, then release. IF YOUR YOSEMITE INSTALLATION LOCKS UP AT A BLACK SCREEN AFTER THIS, DONT PANIC! It's normal, just turn off your computer and let it boot again.

More info about PRAM: OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM

Voila, reconnect your external displays and enjoy your system.

Message was edited by: Luis_Mercado

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 23, 2014 10:45 AM

557 replies

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 26, 2014 11:17 AM in response to pvanalboom

Hope it worked for you. Apple should implement an automatic PRAM reset on their installers.

Oct 26, 2014 11:37 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

Hi, thanks for the detailed post. I followed your post step to step, but the problem persists. Any other ideas?

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 26, 2014 11:44 AM in response to rahulthewall

Make sure you have unplugged any external monitors besides your main one, disable McAfee software and Little Snitch's network monitor, if you have it, and in general all your software is Yosemite ready. This version of OS X seems specially picky about app compatibility.

GeoffGNB

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2014 6:08 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

I followed this guide on my Early 2008 Mac Pro and the problem came back after leaving the computer on for a couple of days. I hope Apple addresses this issue soon or else I may have to go back to Mavericks to get the performance back from my computer.

Lewies

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2014 6:08 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

Thanks Luis.

You solved my problem

Oct 27, 2014 9:04 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

Thanks for this hint. Indeed the save boot seemed to solve my Windowserver CPU usage issue. Let's see how long it will last 😉

nlesh

Level 1

21 points

Oct 27, 2014 12:52 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

Hi,

I have done this now, thanks for suggesting now wait and see I guess. This is one of the worst screwups with OSX updates, I thought Maverick was bad.

Apple has had my loyalty since 1986 but the last few years it really got damaged. This problem is shocking and Apple says zero nothing a sign of extreme arrogance and disrespect for its clients, I have wasted very valuable work time over this bug, a bug that should never have been in here and maybe has not been resolved yet. I find it all extremely extremely sloppy and a bad sign after all the screwups in the last 2 years, they did not learn ?. It is a sign of complacency somewhere in Cupertino. We use OSX for work (science, biotech) and can not afford this sort of BS it is hard enough as it is our profession. We are prepared to pay premium prices for Apple computers and mobile devices and then I expect the premium quality software and hardware updates, all the time ! And then finally for what was this update necessary ? I know mostly under the hood ?

thanks

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 3:26 PM in response to GeoffGNB

Hi GeoffGNB. What's your videocard? Do you have any of the problematic apps listed in the second post?

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 4:03 PM in response to Lewies

Glad it helped Lewies!

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 4:06 PM in response to ThomasKilian

Hope it's permanent Thomas

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 4:07 PM in response to nlesh

Hope it works nlesh. Indeed, something quite nasty happened here. Fortunately is not system breaking, just annoying. I hope 10.10.1 brings refinements to the table ✅

looanbra

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2014 4:28 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

Hi Luis,

I've followed all the steps in your guide. But, I don't think it solved my problem. Safari seems to be using a lot of energy; the average energy impact is high and the battery is still draining. It also says App Nap is off, but I can't turn it on. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 4:51 PM in response to looanbra

Hi looanbra. PRAM has little to do with Safari. Maybe a plugin problem? I would try by deleting Safari's entire cache and cookies.

RWP123

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2014 5:29 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

I used your method with my mac mini (ssd and two monitors) and it completely solved a problem that I was having. Every time the mac woke-up or was re-started it would "forget" the display arrangement, and so every time I would have to re-set the arrangement in system preferences. Very frustrating, thank you so much for your advice.

Luis_Mercado Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2014 6:30 PM in response to RWP123

Glad it worked! It's great to learn how many other problems a proper PRAM resetting can solve 😀

Guide: How to solve Yosemite memory leaks and CPU usage